The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has ordered the immediate closure of all non-compliant garages and motor parks operating along the Mazanmaza, Ojo to Orile axis.

The enforcement followed what LAWMA described as “sustained and deliberate” breaches of Lagos State waste management regulations.

Residents raised the alarm

LAWMA said the action was triggered by multiple petitions from residents, who complained about indiscriminate dumping of refuse by park operators and road users.

According to the agency, waste was routinely dumped on road setbacks, medians, junctions and inside drainage channels.

Officials warned that the situation posed serious environmental degradation, public health risks and traffic safety threats.

Investigation findings

Investigations by LAWMA’s Environmental Enforcement Unit found that many of the garages and parks were not registered with LAWMA-accredited Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste operators.

This, the agency said, violates existing sanitation laws guiding waste disposal in Lagos State.

LAWMA added that operators ignored repeated warnings, sensitisation campaigns and statutory notices issued before the closures.

LAWMA speaks

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the authority would not compromise on environmental compliance.

“No garage, motor park or commercial establishment will be allowed to operate outside the law or undermine the environmental wellbeing of Lagos residents,” he said.

Dr Gbadegesin added that the sealed facilities would remain closed until they fully comply with all waste management requirements.

“This includes mandatory registration with LAWMA-approved PSP operators and strict adherence to prescribed waste disposal protocols,” he said.

What’s next

LAWMA says enforcement will continue across Lagos, warning that individuals and organisations that undermine waste regulations will face escalating sanctions.

The agency has also urged residents, traders, transport unions and businesses to cooperate with PSP operators to maintain a cleaner city.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its institutional support for Africa’s first-ever Defence and Security Exhibition, scheduled to hold in Nigeria in 2026.

The event, known as the Africa International Defence and Security Exhibition (AFRIDECS), is expected to bring together defence manufacturers, military institutions, security agencies, and international partners from around the world.

The backing by Customs places Nigeria at the centre of defence innovation and industrial growth in Africa, while also highlighting the country’s evolving security and economic priorities.

Inside AFRIDECS

The exhibition was formally unveiled during a courtesy visit by the AFRIDECS Steering Committee to the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, 21 January 2026.

Leading the delegation was the Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General Babatunde Alaya, who said the event would showcase Nigeria’s growing defence capabilities across multiple domains.

“AFRIDECS is conceived to showcase indigenous capabilities and manufacturing, while leveraging the expertise and experience of international defence manufacturers. It will serve as a convergence point for defence, security and technology stakeholders to exchange ideas and innovations,” he stated.

He explained that the exhibition would cover land, sea, air, cyber and space technologies, offering a global platform for collaboration and innovation.

According to him, the initiative is being coordinated by a multi-agency Steering Committee set up by Defence Headquarters.

Customs: beyond security

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General, Dera Nnadi, said the Service sees AFRIDECS as more than a security event.

“This is beyond the security implications. For us in the Nigeria Customs Service, it is an economic opportunity, a cultural gain and a platform to project the best of Nigeria to the international community. Customs will play its role in facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring strict regulatory compliance,” he said.

Mr Nnadi added that Customs would ensure smooth temporary importation of exhibition equipment, while maintaining national security standards.

Handling sensitive equipment

Another Deputy Comptroller-General, Timi Bomodi, who oversees Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, said AFRIDECS presents unique operational considerations for Customs.

He noted that while the Service has experience managing international exhibitions, the military nature of the equipment involved requires stricter controls.

Customs, he said, would adopt simplified and transparent procedures, provided all regulatory requirements are met, including advance documentation and End User Certificates.

What’s next

Planning for AFRIDECS will continue through 2025, with Nigeria expected to formally announce dates, venues, and participating countries in the coming months.

Customs officials say early engagement with exhibitors will be key to ensuring smooth logistics and compliance.

A resident of Ondo North Senatorial District has publicly questioned the educational intervention record of Senator Jide Ipinsagba, following the release of over ₦200 million in student bursaries by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South.

Senator Ibrahim facilitated ₦100 million in bursaries for students in 2025, with a second ₦100 million tranche announced on 20 January 2026, bringing total support to more than ₦200 million.

The bursary scheme targets undergraduates struggling with tuition fees ranging between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 at public institutions across the state.

Beneficiary schools include the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, and other tertiary institutions.

Why it matters

Nigeria’s economic pressures have pushed many students to the brink, with families struggling to keep children in school amid rising unemployment and living costs.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, youth unemployment stood at 24.5% in 2025 for Nigerians aged 15 to 24, intensifying the risk of school dropouts.

In Ondo North, youth transition rates from secondary to tertiary education stand at 65%, below the state average of 72%, raising concerns about access and equity.

Questions over Ondo North representation

No comparable bursary or large-scale educational intervention has been publicly announced by Senator Jide Ipinsagba, who represents Ondo North Senatorial District.

The district covers Akoko North West (Ikare Akoko), Akoko North East (Ikun Akoko), Akoko South West (Oka Akoko), Akoko South East (Ayegun), Ose (Arimogija), and Owo Local Government Areas.

Adedayo Glory, a resident of Oka Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area, said constituents deserve clarity on their senator’s efforts.

“Senator Ibrahim’s results through Senate Zonal Intervention Projects and constituency allocations demonstrate effective advocacy under Section 62 of the 1999 Constitution,” she said.

“Ondo North residents deserve equivalent transparency and action on bursaries.”

Call for accountability

Ms Glory called on Senator Ipinsagba to provide a public account of his youth-focused lobbying and constituency interventions between 2025 and 2026.

She referenced the National Youth Policy (2023), which prioritises equitable access to education and targeted support for young people.

“With Ondo North’s population exceeding 500,000 and youths making up nearly 40%, such support is not optional—it is vital,” she added.

Official response

Efforts to obtain a response from Senator Ipinsagba’s office were unsuccessful, with no comment received by the time of filing this report.

What’s next

Advocacy groups and residents say continued silence could intensify public scrutiny ahead of future legislative reviews and constituency assessments.

Observers note that constituency interventions, while not statutory obligations, are increasingly used by voters to measure legislative effectiveness and responsiveness.